Spodumene Var. Kunzite

Unknown Owner

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Kunzite was first discovered around 1900 in California by the noted mineralogiust Frederick Kunz, who had specimens from this locality. Historically, the best spods in San Diego were collected from this mine and they are at least 60-100 years old. This one ranks right up there with the few famous pieces I have seen for quality of color and gemminess, and should be considered a very important US gem crystal specimen. The kunzite suite here is one of the finest California kunzite suites I know of and was a particular source of pride. This particular specimen is a FLOATER, complete all around, with very RICH violet-pink color which is strong when looking down the long or c-axis and a more typical pink color on the other axes. It is as good an old Pala kunzite as I have seen for sale in many years! At 350-plus grams, too, it weighs about a pound and is no lightweight! Apparently this came to Chris out of a German collection, through California dealer Cal Graeber.